Jasper flushed when he realized he was checking her out for the first time

Inayah stood in front of the mansion staring at it longingly. She sighed and murmured.

''Where did he disappear to? I haven't seen him this past week'' she turned and saw Noah getting down from his car in front of her house.

''Ayah, how did it go at school today? I had something going on so I didn't come to school today'' Noah said as he walked towards her. Inayah looked at the mansion for the last time before meeting Noah.

''It went well. My aunt solved it. Turns out that purse was purchased at City Mall''

''That's okay. I was so worried'' Noah said as they walked back to his car.

''Is that why you came?'' Inayah looked at the small box in his hands.

''Yes. I had to see you''

''What's in that box?''

''Oh, this? It's for you. My mum made this and I wanted to give it to you''

''What's that?''

''Open it and see''

Inayah opened the box and saw a designer purse inside. It looked a little like the one Samantha had at school but this particular was designed by a famous designer.

''This is so beautiful. You said your mum made this? Is she a designer?''

''Yes. My designs bags''

''You mean, the famous brand 'Novela dream' is actually your mom's?''

''Yes''

''Isn't she called Gabriella Miles…'' Inayah looked at him and asked, ''you are Noah Miles. That means, you and…'' she pointed her hand at the mansion.

''Correct. Took you long enough to figure it out'' Noah said with a smile.

''Okay, I'm confused. So, you're that man's nephew?''

''Correct''

''Then, you knew all this while that he is that masked man, right?''

''He's been wearing that mask since I can remember. I've almost forgotten how he looks like'' Noah said.

''I see'' Inayah replied casually but deep within her she felt ominous and uncomfortable.

''I hope you're not mad at me for not telling you earlier?''

''No, is okay. You had your reasons''

''I want you to know I never intended to lie about who I was. I just didn't want special treatment from you because of my background''

''You didn't really lie, I never asked you'' Inayah said and that was true. She was the dense one to not realise it earlier enough. Now that she was thinking back, the uncomfortable feeling started creeping up within her again. her instincts started warning her.

''So, will you accept my gift, the purse, right?''

''Yeah​, sure. Is a beautiful purse. Thank you'' Inayah smiled.

''You're welcome''

They looked at each other. Each with their own thoughts. Noah looked at Inayah. He was carefully studying her reaction. He wanted to be sure she wasn't suspecting him in any way. Inayah's eyes and smile didn't betray her either. She had mastered how to control herself and not allow her emotions show that easily.

'I'm sorry Noah, but, no matter how long you look at me; you could never tell what I'm feeling. If there is one thing I've learnt after my rebirth; then it will be masking my emotions in front of people, I'm not so sure of. I don't remember the role you played in my previous life but, I sure know it wasn't a light role. The memories I've been having since you appeared are so strong that I can't ignore them'

Inayah smiled, showing her white teeth brightly as she spoke to herself.

#####

A few days later.

Airport.

Jasper walked out of the exit with his secretary. As they walked out to the car park, the young man said to Jasper.

''Sir, I just received the information from Butler James. This is the information on the girl who bullied the young Miss when you were gone''

''I don't need to see it. Make sure every company doing business with them withdraw their investment and tell her father to tell that girl to watch it''

''Yes, boss''

''No one bullies what is mine!'' Jasper said as he got into the backseat and the secretary got into the driver's seat.

''Boss, where are we going to?''

''Home, I need to see how this silly girl is doing?''

….

Fountain High.

Inayah exclaimed and turned to look at Bertha. ''He said what? Wait!!! Why does this remind me of someone?''

''Who?'' Bertha bit into her apple as she asked, ''mystery man Jasper Miles?''

''Oo''

''Wow!!! So, how are things going on? Is he really going to eat your tofu?''

''Hey, that's not even funny''

''I know. I'm just doing that to calm my nerves. What should I do?'' Bertha sat next to Inayah under the mango tree.

''Face it. If he wants you to make him fall in love with you that badly; then make him'' Inayah said and snatched the apple and bit into it before giving it back to Bertha.

''What? I can't. I hate that guy. Now I understand the saying 'enemies meet on a narrow road', this is just what that meant. What is his deal?''

''There is a thin line between love and hate Berth. I remember when we were in first year, you used to have a….'' Bertha covered Inayah's mouth with her hand.

''I already told you I was never interested in him''

''Yes, but you saved him and bandaged his wounds. Hey, even I thought he also liked you because of the way he used to bully you. You know, there is a saying that guys bully girls they like''

''That is so immature. That guy is unlikable. I can't even imagine myself doing that. No, I don't even want to think about it''

''What if he comes after you? I mean, Gideon is a very handsome guy even though he is not my type. But, the bottom line is. Can you resist him? if you liked him once, you might just fall for him again despite all the hate that you have for him''

''You really think I can't, right?''

''No, I think you absolutely can resist him. I'm just speaking you know, hypothetically'' Inayah didn't want to scare her even though she knew they were going to end up together sooner or later. Due to the butterfly effect of her coming back.

''Okay, hypothetically speaking. If he comes at me, I am going to kill him and bury him where no one will find him''

''Okay. Just eat your apple'' Inayah placed the apple in her mouth. Bertha frowned and was about to bit into it when someone snatched it from her and bit into where her teeth marks were.

''Hey, what are you doing?'' Bertha shouted at Gideon.

''I just bit from where you ate from. That is our first kiss, Berth''

Inayah looked at them speechlessly.

''Hi dear, Ayah. Still mad at me?''

"Crazy! 'Lunatic'' Inayah muttered.

''Heyyyyy you...'' Bertha took the apple and threw it away and screamed at Gideon. ''You piece of trash. What is wrong with you?''

''See you later, Berth'' Gideon smiled and walked away.

''That did not just happen, right?'' Inayah asked and Bertha glared at her. ''Why are you glaring at me when he is the one who made you angry?''

''This is so annoying''

.....

That Night.

Inayah was walking to her house after closing from the diner when she saw Jasper and Nick chatting outside the mansion. She stopped in her strides and smiled.

''He is back'' she murmured and hurried towards them, ''Mr. Miles, Dr. Nick'' she walked fast and almost tripped.

''Be careful'' Jasper held her hand and pulled her closer before she fell. Inayah looked at him and smiled. She looked genuinely happy to see him again.

''You are back?'' Inayah asked as she leaned against his chest blushing.

''Mm, have you been well?''

''Oo, I've been doing well''

Nick looked at them and cleared his throat to get their attention. They were too engrossed looking at each other and forgot his existence.

''I'm still here, you know?'' Nick said and Inayah came back to her senses. She stepped back, blushing.

''Hi, Dr. Nick'' she said shyly.

''Hi, Miss Ibrahim. You really like black'' he said as he looked at her all black outfit.

''Yeah, I guess. You know, black is the new black''

''How are you doing? You didn't come by again?''

''I'm doing well. I've been busy in school lately''

Jasper looked at Inayah keenly as she chatted with Nick. He stuffed his hands into his pocket and leaned against the car to get a better view of her entire stature. Even though Inayah looked small, she was quite tall and had long legs. She was already blessed with everything a woman was supposed to have.